The Volvo XC40 was officially launched in Malaysia this morning, at an event in Genting Highlands. The much anticipated smaller sibling to the XC60 and XC90 SUVs was spotted undisguised in August, and was launched in Thailand last week.

As speculated, we’re getting the XC40 in T5 AWD R-Design spec, priced at RM255,888 on the road excluding insurance. The 2018 European Car of the Year debuts here in locally-assembled CKD form – production has started in Shah Alam and deliveries will start from January 2019. No first batch CBUs for sale this time around.

Previewed accurately by the 40.1 concept from 2016, the Volvo XC40 sits on the company’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform. It measures 4,425 mm long, 1,863 mm wide and 1,655 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,702 mm. The rear track (1,626 mm) is 25 mm wider than the front.

To compare, the F48 BMW X1 is 14 mm longer, but 42 mm narrower than the Volvo, which also sits 57 mm taller than Munich’s junior SAV. The other cars in the premium compact SUV segment are the Mercedes-Benz GLA, Audi Q3 and Lexus UX.

The refreshing thing about the XC40’s design is that it isn’t a scale copy of the larger XCs. Highlights include the now familiar modern Volvo face with signature “Thor’s hammer” LED daytime running lights; scalloped sections near the hood, rearmost pillar and lower doors; a shoulder line that rises sharply where the rear door handles are; and a “floating” black roof. Unlike the XC60 and XC90, the rear number plate is not situated on the hatch, which is left sparse here.

Besides the trademark LED DRLs, the headlamps are full LED units with active high beam function and active bending lights. The XC40 also comes with high-pressure headlight cleaners and LED fog lights with cornering function.

The R-Design trim brings with it a unique gloss black grille, bumpers (rear piece has integrated dual exhaust outlets) and R-Design lettering where the rear pillar meets the roof. Gloss black is repeated on the roof rails, skid plates and door mirror caps.

We get 19-inch five-double spoke two-tone alloys with 235/50 tyres as standard, but there are four other rim designs on the options list, including 20- and 21-inch items. There are four colour options to go with the black roof: Bursting Blue, Fusion Red, Crystal White and Osmium Grey.

The XC40’s cabin will be one of its strongest points, just like with recent Volvos. Here, the Swedish carmaker has paid particular attention to how urbanites store items in the car, and has catered accordingly. For instance, by moving speakers away from the door and developing a world-first, air-ventilated dashboard-mounted subwoofer, the door bins can take in a laptop and a tablet, or a couple of water bottles.

There are also slots for cards, and under the centre armrest is a large cubby with room for a tissue box. There’s also a removable bin for trash and fold-away hook in the glove compartment. Under the driver’s seat is a storage space good enough for a tablet. “Designed to make every day easier,” they claim.

As we’re getting the R-Design, the cabin has a dark theme and headliner. Unique R-Design items include the three-spoke steering wheel with perforated leather, gear lever, sport pedals, inlays, front tread plates, textile carpets and R-Design seats in leather and Nubuck upholstery. The key fob is also unique to the R-Design. It’s very modern and digital in here, thanks to the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 9.0-inch Sensus Connect portrait touchscreen and wireless charging pad.

More comfort and convenience features come in the form of a dual-zone auto air-con with cooled glove box, Clean Zone interior air quality system, rear air con vents, a 250W eight-speaker sound system, navigation, Apple Carplay and Android Auto and a hands-free powered tailgate.

The 1,704 kg XC40 T5 AWD is powered by a 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder Drive-E engine with 252 hp and 350 Nm of torque from 1,800 to 4,800 rpm. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission (with shift paddles), that’s good for 0-100 km/h in 6.4 seconds and a top speed of 230 km/h. Claimed combined fuel consumption is 7.7 litres per 100 km (13 km/l) in the European cycle.

As for airbags, the whole cabin is covered – dual front, side, curtain, driver’s knee – and there are Isofix child seat attachment points on the outer rear seats.

VCM is also offering a range of accessories for the XC40, from a dog harness in four sizes to mudflaps and bicycle racks. The red car in the gallery below sports the exterior styling kit (silver bits around the lower front/rear/sides, rear spoiler extension, exhaust finishers, RM13,888), 20-inch five-double spoke matte black wheels (RM15,388), load carrier (RM1,688) and bike holder (RM999).

To recap, the Volvo XC40 T5 AWD R-Design is priced at RM255,888 OTR without insurance. VCM says that the T5 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid variant is in its plans, subject to hybrid CKD incentives. For a detailed list of specs, equipment and optional kit – and to compare the Volvo side-by-side with its German rivals – check out CarBase.my.

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

At least give some choice of colours and Harman Kardon as an option…Volvo’s base sound system is good(better then most Jepunis base system) but not quite Luxury Car level a Harman Kardon upgrade would be appreciated. 255k is already not cheap…don’t mind paying a few more thousands for a way better interior and sound quality.

Take note of the Volvo logo…the tiny camera eye isnt there…also confirmed by the sales person …I asked if I can install it as an option cus it’s really a deal breaker. Dont mind not having Harmon kardon…although it would have been amazing.

The previously two cars only smart people buy
1) Toyota CHR – how ugly it’s on the road with that super high price
2) Toyota Harrier – how inflated price of a low spec car
Now comes…
3) XC40 – what is in their mind when setting the price higher than BMW and Merc same range ..

I have mentioned it many times and I will continue to say it…IT’S BLOODY OVER PRICED!

Cars in Malaysia are seriously over priced be it a Proton, Toyota or a Merc.

I drive great cars at superb price range in NZ. But back here in Malaysia I had to convince myself to pay RM50K for a Perodua.

All my mat salleh friends says that Malaysians are very rich because they can afford to pay so much for so little. Must be lot’s of millionaires here….
Frankly I do not know how to react to that statement…to laugh or to cry.
But it’s true.

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